
Dear valued subscriber,
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family and friends after yet another challenging year.
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Normally I would run through a detailed list of stories that made news this week but today I will keep it brief. No doubt there's plenty to clean up, leftovers to eat, cricket on the TV, people to see and places to go. And there's also a chance you might feel like Daisy the kangaroo, above, who was photographed at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters by our chief photographer Morgan Hancock.
The latest COVID variant Omicron turned celebrations on their head with the reintroduction of masks indoors and confusion around testing and border arrangements, not to mention the cancellation of many flights on Christmas eve.
The biggest talking point this week was the $6m plan to bring retail giants JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks to Warrnambool. But BIG W won't be coming any time soon.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning this week revealed it had laid 253 charges over the death of koalas at Cape Bridgewater.
South West Healthcare's $376m revdevelopment takes its first big step next year with the state government revealing the designs of the logistics hub that will be built in west Warrnambool. The relocation of the hub will clear the way for part of the new section of the hospital to be built.
And of course, there was plenty of Christmas-themed reading, including these two stories about impressive lights displays at Bushfield and Warrnambool. There was also this story about a man, born on Christmas Day, who gives the gift of giving.
In case you missed these, here's a selection of other stories that made headlines.
Thanks again for your support through your subscription. Please enjoy the festive season.
Until next week,
Stay safe.
Greg Best, editor, The Standard